Chapter 36: End of Day 1

I was sitting in my room, waiting for my final match to start. I took three skills from the monk. Upon doing so, not only did I level up, but I also picked up on a minor trait of a monk. One of them was meditation which allowed me to accumulate mana by concentrating. I was able to sense the magic particles in the air as I gathered them. It was difficult for me to do, so I gave up.

I also looked at the skills I took from Omega. One skill was Deflect. It allowed me to deflect any projectiles. I wasn't sure of the limit, but it will definitely come in handy. I wondered if I could somehow upgrade it to Parry. Either way, it was a useful skill.

The second skill was Feather Falling. It was kind of self-explanatory, but it basically eliminated fall damage. Well, at least up to 100 feet. The last skill was Shadow Arts, which allowed me to chant either the same spell twice or two different ones at the same time. I smiled as I read these. I pulled up my stats.

Smarus Dragonborne

Title: Hero Slayer

Age: 16

Strength: 5

Intelligence: 5.5

Agility: 4

Charisma: 4

Magic: 4

Class: Hermit Wiseman

Mana: 200/1500

Ki: 15/15

I was satisfied with these results. My magic and charisma went up by a whole point while my strength and agility went up by .5. I also noticed that I have access to ki now. I wasn't sure what I could use it for, but I was sure it was there for a reason. I decided to try to meditate again.

I sensed the magic particles all around me. It took a great deal of concentration to even sense them, but I wasn't able to visualize them yet. I still felt like I was just grabbing at air, but the longer I sat still, the better I got. Slowly, some mana was gathering towards me on its own. If I could master this skill, it would definitely come in clutch. Unfortunately, my concentration was broken by a knock on the door.

"Hello?" I opened the door.

It was a man wearing a suit that practically screamed he was important. For some reason, he was wearing shades indoors.

"Smarus, right? Your opponent dropped out, so you won the tournament for the day," He explained.

"Heh?" That was all I could muster.

"The dude forfeited. You are the champ," He sighed. "Well, my job was done."

He walked away without saying another word. I was shocked at the information. I just stood there like an idiot while I processed this info. I guessed I could just leave… Yeah. I grabbed my things and walked out. No one stopped me, so I guessed it was alright. I planned to grab dinner, bathe, and then go straight to bed… That plan was a bust.

"Why are you two here?" I pointed at Donkor and Arlo in the bathhouse.

I initially came here late at night to avoid people.

"What are the odds!? All three of us had the same idea!" Arlo laughed.

"Indeed. Perhaps great minds do think alike," Donkor chuckled with him

"It's not funny," I protested.

"Bro, you do know that is a public bathhouse, right? Get over yourself," Arlo said.

I wanted to knock him on the head with something, but he was right. I didn't have the right to do anything. I wished I did though.

"Also, why are you so far away?" Arlo tilted his head.

"I believe it is just one of his characteristics," Donkor chimed in.

"You guys are the ones that are too close to each other," I sighed. "I'm surprised you're not bummed out by your loss from earlier," I shot Arlo a cheeky smile.

"I mean, it was my fault," He chuckled before he grew serious. "That and I caught some of your conversations from earlier… well Vida did. I just confronted Donkor about it. He's not a very good liar!"

"Lying is meant for schemers and shameless men," Donkor crossed his arms.

I felt like that was a personal jab, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.

"Besides, knowing you, Smarus, I figured that you would want to get close to Arlo. For some, twisted reason," He nodded his head.

"Why does everyone treat me like I'm a villain?" I sighed

"Back at the task at head!" Arlo clapped his hands. "The good news is, I still have all of my skills! The bad news is, that monk dude you fought lost most of his skills."

As what Arlo shared with us settled in, my eyes widened. I looked up and saw that Donkor was just as startled.

"Arlo, you better have proof," My brows narrowed.

"Oh, I do! He was visibly weaker, pale even. I saw him training in the field and he was clumsier than a toddler learning to walk!" He chuckled.

"I see," I rubbed my chin. "That means forcibly stealing skills physically affects the victim. I should be careful about it then," I nodded my head.

"Smarus, can you say that without a creepy smile on your face?" Donkor shook his head. "You really are a villain sometimes."

"But Donkor, look at it like this. If we fight someone really messed up, like a criminal, I can put him out of commission while getting an upgrade!" I smiled.

"You never fail to see how you can benefit from any opportunity," Donkor sighed.

"Don't make it sound like you don't get anything either."

Arlo looked back and forth as we had a short banter. His face lit up as he intervened.

"You guys seem like best friends! Let me join in!"

The both of us looked at him and then at each other.

"This isn't a club, weirdo," I commented.

"Still, I'll need friends at the academy," He pretended to be shy.

"Wait, you lost in the first match though," Donkor looked at him. "How will you be able to attend the academy?"

"Minor details. Let's talk about something interesting! Are you guys single?" Arlo was a bit too excited.

I distanced myself a little bit more, and Donkor did the same. We stared at Arlo for a solid 30 seconds before anyone said anything.

"Come on guysss! I'm married," He pleaded.

I moved further back.

"I am single, but I am interested in someone…" Donkor began.

"Hey, Donkor, don't entertain this guy," I stared at him.

"I'm not sure how she feels, nor will I make a move at this current moment. After all, we all have to focus on entering the academy for the time being," he finished.

I knew exactly who he was talking about. Talk about being dense. I could have easily told him that Sonia felt the same, but I decided against it. It would have been much more fun to see how their relationship played out. I snickered to myself.

"That's so romantic! It reminds me of when I first met Gricelda," Arlo nodded his head. "What about you Smarus? You practically have girls all over you!"

"I, too, am interested in this, Smarus. You always seem indifferent about their presence," Donkor crossed his arms.

Yeah, because half the time it feels like I was babysitting them. It was more of a pain than anything to deal with all of them.

"Not all of them are interested in me and likewise, I'm not interested in them," I sighed.

Arlo looked shocked. He looked away for a moment, and then back at me.

"Smarus… could it be…"

"BUT if I did have to pick," I interrupted him. "It would be Aurora or Lily, I suppose," I shook my head.

The last thing I wanted was rumors to spread around. I did want to marry a woman someday, but these guys were gonna make that difficult if I didn't say anything.

"Wow! That means nothing to me!" He laughed. "Then again, I'll learn their names as I hang out with you guys more!"

"Then why did you ask?" I was annoyed.

"For bonding experience!"

"Indeed, this was a learning experience. A half-elf before a literal noble?" Donkor muttered.

"You have a problem with Lily?" I glared at Donkor. I found myself being a bit protective over her.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant. Forgive me," Donkor apologized. "I was stating that for someone as ambitious as you, even considering an interracial marriage could spell your doom. Then again, you only dance to your own beat," Donkor seemed happy about something.

"Weirdo," I scoffed.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you guys later, but I have two wives to satisfy," Arlo stood up.

When he stood up, I began to question my manhood. Life really wasn't fair sometimes.

"Whatever. I hope you trip down the stairs," I muttered.

"Is that how people in Glanddicia say goodbye? In Nachodia, we usually say 'Until next time!'" He smiled at me.

"I should depart as well. Tomorrow, I will have to participate in the tournament," Donkor stood up.

Life really wasn't fair…

"Do what you want. I don't have to fight, so I think I'll stay here a bit longer!" I laughed.

"Have fun! Until next time," Arlo waved.

"We will meet tomorrow," Donkor followed Arlo out the door.

They both left, leaving me alone in the bathhouse. After about five minutes, I stood up.

"I guess I'll leave too," I said to no one in particular.

I dried myself off and dressed myself. I had a late night skate session before heading to my room. The moment I laid my head on the pillow, I passed out.